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Crypto Wash Trading

Author

Listed:
  • Lin William Cong
  • Xi Li
  • Ke Tang
  • Yang Yang

Abstract

We introduce systematic tests exploiting robust statistical and behavioral patterns in trading to detect fake transactions on 29 cryptocurrency exchanges. Regulated exchanges feature patterns consistently observed in financial markets and nature; abnormal first-significant-digit distributions, size rounding, and transaction tail distributions on unregulated exchanges reveal rampant manipulations unlikely driven by strategy or exchange heterogeneity. We quantify the wash trading on each unregulated exchange, which averaged over 70% of the reported volume. We further document how these fabricated volumes (trillions of dollars annually) improve exchange ranking, temporarily distort prices, and relate to exchange characteristics (e.g., age and userbase), market conditions, and regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin William Cong & Xi Li & Ke Tang & Yang Yang, 2022. "Crypto Wash Trading," NBER Working Papers 30783, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30783
    Note: AP CF PR
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Jie & Zhang, Jingru & Chen, Zhenshan, 2025. "The effect of stock market manipulation on investor behavioral bias," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    2. Foley, Sean & Frijns, Bart & Garel, Alexandre & Roh, Tai-Yong, 2022. "Who buys Bitcoin? The cultural determinants of Bitcoin activity," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Galati, Luca & Webb, Alexander & Webb, Robert I., 2024. "Financial contagion in cryptocurrency exchanges: Evidence from the FTT collapse," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    4. Brauneis, Alexander & Mestel, Roland & Riordan, Ryan & Theissen, Erik, 2022. "Bitcoin unchained: Determinants of cryptocurrency exchange liquidity," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 106-122.
    5. Foley, Sean & Krekel, William & Mollica, Vito & Svec, Jiri, 2023. "Not so fast: Identifying and remediating slow and imprecise cryptocurrency exchange data," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    6. Wu, Feng-Lin & Wang, Yu-Shi & Wan, Yu-Fan & Wang, Ming-Hui, 2025. "Does investor attention drive cryptocurrency markets? Insights from network connectedness and portfolio applications," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    7. James, Robert & Leung, Henry & Prokhorov, Artem, 2023. "A machine learning attack on illegal trading," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    8. Oefele, Nico & Baur, Dirk G. & Smales, Lee A., 2025. "The effect of currency risk on crypto asset utilization in Türkiye," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    9. Voraprapa Nakavachara & Kanis Saengchote, 2022. "Is Metaverse LAND a Good Investment? It Depends on Your Unit of Account!," PIER Discussion Papers 172, Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
    10. Kennedy, Austin, 2025. "Fiscal spillovers through informal financial channels," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    11. Blasco, N. & Corredor, P. & Satrústegui, N., 2023. "Is there an expiration effect in the bitcoin market?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 647-663.
    12. Chen, Yu-Lun & Xu, Ke & Yang, J. Jimmy, 2025. "Market impact of the bitcoin ETF introduction on bitcoin futures," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    13. Alexander, Carol & Chen, Xi & Deng, Jun & Wang, Tianyi, 2024. "Arbitrage opportunities and efficiency tests in crypto derivatives," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    14. Riccardo De Blasis & Alexander Webb, 2022. "Arbitrage, contract design, and market structure in Bitcoin futures markets," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(3), pages 492-524, March.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G29 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Other

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